改

gǎi

己 + 攵

HSK 3.0Level 4

Definitions

gǎi (verb) to change; to alter; to modify

gǎi (verb) to correct; to fix

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 攵 represents the meaning and 己 represents the sound.

About

改 (gǎi) is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic component 攵 (pū) depicts a hand holding a stick or tool, conveying action or force, while 己 (jǐ) supplies the sound. The original meaning involved striking or coercing someone to correct their faults. Its primary senses are changing, correcting mistakes, revising documents, and altering conditions. Together, the tool‑wielding hand and the phonetic hint suggest an active, sometimes forceful process of improvement and intervention.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我改了主意。

Wǒ gǎile zhǔyì.

I changed my mind.

他改了我的作业。

Tā gǎile wǒ de zuòyè.

He corrected my homework.

请改正这个错误。

Qǐng gǎizhèng zhège cuòwù.

Please correct this mistake.

我们需要改变计划。

Wǒmen xūyào gǎibiàn jìhuà.

We need to change the plan.

他改进了技术。

Tā gǎijìnle jìshù.

He improved the technology.

这本书被修改过了。

Zhè běn shū bèi xiūgǎi guòle.

This book has been modified.

政府改革了政策。

Zhèngfǔ gǎigéle zhèngcè.

The government reformed the policy.

他决心改变自己的习惯。

Tā juéxīn gǎibiàn zìjǐ de xíguàn.

He is determined to change his habits.

Related Characters

Component: 己

Component: 攵

改